Wool carpeting can be a beautiful addition to a room. These rugs have been made for centuries and they are made to last. They have been sought after and used for years, which is why they are available all over the world in vintage and antique shops.

Wool rugs do require some care. Even though they can last for years, it is important to use the right solution to clean them without causing major damage to it. However, no special equipment is needed to care for them.

But, even the most well-made rug requires care. While a wool rug can stand up to years of use, the wrong cleaning solution can cause permanent damage in seconds. The good news is you don’t need special equipment to keep your rug looking good.

When should wool rugs be cleaned?

Wool rugs should be regularly cleaned so they don’t build up dirt and their colors do not become dull. You can use a roller brush on the vacuum to keep it intact but still clean it. If the wool rugs are antique, they should be vacuumed no more than once every two weeks. You should also try to avoid the edges as they are very fragile and can ruin the look of the rug.

These rugs should be rotated seasonally so that the wear and discoloration can be even. Also, they should be aired out regularly. If you don’t have a lot of space, you can drape them over a railing or over a dining room table.

How do you clean a wool rug?

To clean your rug, you will need to use vinegar, baking soda, horse shampoo, a scrub brush, and a clean cloth or towel.

These are the steps to follow to clean your wool rug:

1. Make sure to spot clean with a gentle solution:

For this step you will not need major chemicals as they can create more damage. Just use a clean cloth on both sides of the rug to get as much liquid out as possible and add some water to help rinse out any stains.

2. Use baking soda:

You can use water and light vinegar or baking soda to clean up most stains. Just pour some vinegar on the carpet and sprinkle some baking soda and the bubbling of it will help get rid of the stain. If you decide to use a detergent instead, make sure to test it on the corner of the rug first before using it.

3. Make sure to rotate your rug:

If you are dealing with a stain such as an ink or grease stain, it may be tough to get it out. In this case you may need to go to a local dry cleaner to get it out. You can also try to hide it by rotating the rug and as a last resort, you can also cut and reweave the rug, however this may be difficult and time consuming.

4. How to deep clean a wool rug:

To deep clean a wool rug, you can use soap, water, and vinegar. Find an organic soap that is designed for animal hair to keep the colors on the rug vibrant.

5. Make sure to clean the rug with a gentle shampoo:

You can use an animal shampoo or Dr. Bronner’s by putting it in a bucket and creating a soapy water mixture. If you are using soap, you should always test a corner of it to ensure that the colors don’t run. If you do notice the colors running, make sure to add some white vinegar so the colors can settle. If the rug has an odor, you can add Tide to deodorize it.

6. You should use a scrub brush:

A scrub brush should be used to clean the rug once you’ve placed it somewhere where it can be wet, such as in your driveway. Once you’ve washed it with soap, make sure to use a hose to wash the soap out. Then leave it flat to dry. Do not try to hang it up as this can cause it to warp.

7. Hire an expert:

You can always hire an expert to clean your carpet with special chemicals that are safe for wool.

How to remove stains from a wool rug:

• Don’t rub the stain, instead, blot up the liquid with paper towels.
• If you have mud on the rug, let it dry before you try cleaning it up. Once it is dry, you can vacuum it up.
• Dab a stain remover on a wool rug with a white cloth and make sure it does not cause bleeding of the colors. This will also help remove excess soapy residue left in the wool.
• Be gentle if you are using a stain remover so you do not damage the wool fibers.
• Make sure to avoid applying bleach to a wool rug, as the chemicals can cause the colors to bleed.
• Use baking soda to clean a wool rug. Sprinkle it, let it sit for an hour, and then vacuum it up. Keep repeating until the stain is lifted.

What to Do for Water Damaged Wool Rugs

Wool rugs are more absorbent than other types of rugs, which makes them highly vulnerable to water damage.  If your wool rug is affected by excess water or flooding, you need to dry it quickly to prevent damage to the wool and stop the colors from running.

The following steps will help you restore water damaged wood rugs:

• Soak up as much of the water as possible using towels or cloths.
• Hang the rug on a clothesline outside to dry in direct sunlight. Make sure to take the rug in each night to prevent it from collecting dew. You should also alternate sides for complete drying.
• If you cannot hang up the rug outside, hang it somewhere inside and set up a fan to blow on it to help it dry.
• If there is a lingering musty smell after drying the rug, you can remove it with baking soda. Liberally sprinkle baking soda on the rug and let it sit for an hour before vacuuming the rug. Repeat the process for the other side of the rug.
• If your wool rug is significantly impacted by water or mold growth, it may be best to call a restoration professional to restore your rug.

Have you had water damage at your home or business? Whether the water damage was caused by a leaky appliance, sewage backup, or a plumbing issues, you need to call a water damage restoration professional right away. These professionals can safely and effectively restore all types of rugs affected by water damage, including wool rugs.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.